Got myself into a bargain bind
As a bargain hunter in need of that archaic payment method known as checks, I could not resist an ad in the Sunday newspaper circular.
For $6.50, Checks Unlimited would send me a new box of checks printed on a pretty pattern of my choosing. Just fill out this quick form, send payment, and voila!
Oh, and you need to be a new customer.
No problem, I figured. I had ordered checks through them before but it was at a different address. And if they noticed, they would return my order unfilled. But I was confident. Who wouldn't want my money in these desperate times?
So I was very pleased when my new checks arrived Monday. Five books, a paper box to keep them in, and a new log to scribble my purchases on. No mention of my, err, past business.
I even bragged to Hubby about clinching the deal.
Then Tuesday's mail came. A suspicious letter from Checks Unlimited was on top. And by "suspicious" I mean it looked like a bill. It was.
Blurg!
The bill said...
...Checks Unlimited was sooo pleased to fill my order, but I owed them another $12.20. The $6.50 deal was, most assuredly, for new customers only. And I did not fall into that category, their records indicated. I could tell the letter writer was very sure of themselves.
But they did have a point. An uneasy feeling lodged in my gut and now it only dissipates when I eat cookies.
Should I return the checks? Cough up the extra dough? Ignore the bill? Send them a nasty letter saying they shouldn't have cashed my check in the first place? This is one bargain that has got me in trouble.
What would you do? Click on "comments" above to let me know. You can leave a comment anonymously or register a name and email address
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About The Bargain Hunter
Daily News staff writer Julia Scott loves to find bargains on everything from groceries to Gucci. Her tips will help keep your hard earned cash where it belongs - in your pocket.
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Ummm..isn't what you did tatamount to theft? You misrepresented yourself -- or at least you thought you did. That's unethical. Nice journalism.
Oops... ya did try to pull one over on them. That stuff never pays off. Pay them the difference and chalk it up to experience
S.
For your previous order with a different address did you use the same bank account number for the checks? If so then you should have known they could match you, if not then you can argue that it was a different Julia Scott that ordered the other checks.
BTW - if you are a Costco member you can order checks from them 2 boxes cost $10.59 ($8.47 if you are an Executive member). I've ordered from them and have no complaints.
Julie as I myself am a extreme bargain hunter, I understand the hunger and excitement that one feels when getting that deal. Unfortunately, it is at times easy to fall into greed and need which involves taking desperate measures to get a deal. Although it is great when it works out (usually with some remorse) it sucks when it backfires!
So, in a nutshell Julie, my advice is to pay the bill, and enjoy your checks, they are after all what you wanted, and it is only an additional $12.
I can't believe you would even put this out to your readers. Does everyone try to take the easy, immoral way out these days?
ALL THOSE CHECKS ADVERTISED IN THE CIRCULARS ARE A RIP OFF - THEY GET YOU ONE WAY OR THE OTHER! UNFORTUNATELY, THEY ARE STILL CHEAPER THAN ORDERING FROM THE BANK (MY BANK ANYWAY), BUT THERE IS ALWAYS SOME CATCH!
I RESEARCH THEM VERY CAREFULLY (INCLUDING CALLING THEM TO SEE WHAT HIDDEN CHARGES ARE WAITING FOR ME) AND JUST ORDER A WHOLE BUNCH AT ONE TIME SO I DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT AGAIN FOR ANOTHER YEAR!
Some banks offer free checks. Don't know if it's okay to name, so I won't. Also many banks offer bill pay services. These too are often free and save the cost of a stamp. Might be something to consider next time you need to order checks.
This brings up a pet peeve of mine. I have always been bewildered and insulted that a company I do business with would treat a POTENTIALLY new customer better than a long-time LOYAL customer like I have been. When faced with this situation by both my longtime phone company and long time satellite TV company I called them on it. In both cases they met or exceeded what a new customer was offered. These situations were both handled by the RETENTION DEPARTMENTS of these companies. Bottom line....it pays to ask.
BTW I had trouble signing in. It seems to know me and even puts in my password and then it tells me it is invalid.
Being a banker myself (internet banker)I must say - although your address changed - most likely your name, account # and banking info didn't so...it's not brain surgery to figure it out. But - there are tons of free checks out there & tons of free bill pay services as well and there's always PAYPAL :)
It's interesting the responses you have received here and how some are raking you over the coals for such a minor thing. It's not as if you tried to rob a bank or anything!
My take is that the company should have notified you that you didn't qualify for the special deal and allowed you to cancel your order. If I were in your shoes I would send the checks back and have them refund your $6.50 since $18.70 for a box of checks is ridiculous.
well it was worth a shot and besides its not like your robbing the bank or something. at my abnki get charged 25 to reorder but i havent because i dont really wright checks. next time make sure its a diffrent company that way you get the deal or call your bank and tell them you "lost " your chceks and get new number and then you will be a new customer its not excatly lying and we all need to save as much as we can
Karma, baby!! You knew you had shopped there before. We do not need to resort to dishonesty to "save as much as we can".
You're embarrassing yourself to your readers' by trying to get away with this. Pay the bill and be done with it.
I safeguard against this by trying different check companies.
I never order by mail - I call the company, tell them I can't remember if I ever ordered from them before and please can they check that for me because I will only order if I am a new customer getting the low price deal. I only order the checks AFTER they confirm that to me. Pays to be careful and in these lean times, they are all trying to get the extra bucks!!!
Sheila is right. You deserve the same treatment as a new customer, as I have pointed out to my cable and phone company who usually give me the same deal as first time customers. It is just plain good business. Contact the customer service company and I am sure they will be willing to forgo the extra $$$ Good luck!
Legally, once a company cashes a check they accept it as full payment. I know, I own my own business. I would write a polite note to the company explaining why you thought the $6.50 deal would be allowed and ask them to please forgive your misunderstanding and void their higher invoice. Promise you'll do business with them in the future at the right price but right now a deal was what you were looking for. Offer to return the checks if this is not satisfactory to them. Chances are, they'll let you slide this time. You'll be amazed how many companies will honor their customers wishes to keep them happy. Good Luck!
So what did you end up doing about this Julia? Did you have to pay the difference or did you get a refund?
Any news Julia?
If you're a member of Costco, cancel the Checks Unlimited, go online to Costco's site, and order your checks there. It's much cheaper.